William “Bill” Carter, Sr., 77, of Chatham, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. He was born on November 2, 1945, in Springfield, IL, the son of Carl and Carolyn (Weld) Carter, Jr. On November 23, 1968, he married the love of his life, Linda J. Swanson.
Bill and Linda met at Western Illinois University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1967. After graduating from Western, he worked for the state of Illinois and later as an accountant for Rural Electric Convenience Coop, in Auburn, where he retired after twenty-five years of service.
Bill enjoyed auto racing as he was a proud season ticket holder to the Brickyard 500, and also attended the Springfield Mile Race for over fifty years. He was an avid and lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, and enjoyed going on cruises with his wife, Linda. Bill was active in youth sports, a baseball coach for his sons, and a hockey referee for five-year-olds to college age youth and refereed the Springfield Kings. He was an active and faithful member of Chatham Presbyterian Church where he was proud to be the chairman of the building committee for the new church that was dedicated in 1986. Most of all, Bill loved being with his wife, sons, grandchildren, and cats.
In addition to his wife, Linda, Bill is survived by two sons, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Son, Bill (Jennifer) Carter, Jr. of Chatham, their children, Symone Carter, Stephanie Carter, Faith (Shamari Fields) Carter, Sarah Carter, Calvin Carter, and their grandchild, Shaelani Fields-Carter; and son, Dave (Kylie) Carter of Petersburg, IL, and their children, Annabelle Carter, Zoey Carter, Oliver Carter, and Penelope Carter.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Carolyn Carter; twin brother, Robert Carter, and brother Carl Carter III; and his great-grandfather, Carl Carter, Sr.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Chatham Presbyterian Church. He helped build this church which is located at 1835 East Walnut, Chatham, IL 62629. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the church. A celebration of life luncheon will follow the services in the church fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the Chatham Presbyterian Church.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Chatham, 8855 State Rt. 4, Chatham, IL 62629.
